Last night was the final performance of my marching band career--the Cobb Exhibition. We went out with a bang like I'd dreamed of.

On Saturday we had the Atlanta Super Regional. The Prelims run was quite possibly the worst run-through the band has had in its entire history. Thankfully, we placed for Finals though. We were all terrified that, again, for the first time in the history of the band, we wouldn't. We used these electronic instruments this year called WX5s, and one of them didn't work the entire show. Even if it did, though, we still did a terrible job.

Our Finals performance was at 9:15 that night, and if it wasn't perfect, I don't know what it was. It was magical. From our warm up time before we went on--Starnes talking to us, Starnes pushing us to our mental and physical limits every day, the quiet little reminder at the end that he's so proud of us. The band scheduled to go on after us was doing pit warm up when he talked to us and the background music it provided was hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. Katie the band captain burst into tears when she gave her little speech.

And, well, I kind of did too. For fifteen seconds. But if you cry, you can't play, so none of that! >8(

I felt the intensity on the field from everyone as we performed. The entire audience was silent when we'd come on--they knew how bad our performance in prelims had been, and they were scared for us. We were scared for ourselves.

But we did it.

And as soon as we marched out of the tag and into the tunnel, we all burst into tears. Even the freshmen, and this is only their first show. I'm not going to forget seeing the faces of my friends, my section, everyone--we were relieved. We were overjoyed. We were proud of ourselves and each other. And we were heartbroken because at the same time, that marked the end of it.

I'm even tearing up as I'm writing this.

We placed second with a score of 90.15 (holy crap!) and won the outstanding music caption. Tarpon Springs beat us for first, but who cares? We were the hunted this year. But that performance was the best thing any of us have ever done.

Good night, Kennesaw Mountain. It's been fun.

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And if anybody wants to see this year's show, find me on facebook. It's too new to be on youtube at the moment. xD I'll send it to you if you're interested in seeing.

OH GOD I'M CRYING HNNNNNNNNGH

ALSO NANOWRIMO I STARTED I STARTED I STARTED--GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!